NON-SURGICAL VISION CORRECTION
THE VISION RETAINER SHAPING SYSTEM,
A NON-SURGICAL WAY TO CORRECT YOUR VISION!
The Vision Retainer Shaping System will help to correct your vision using Non-Surgical Vision Correction! Check out this news clip on a revolutionary contact lens that corrects your vision while you sleep featured on World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.
WHAT IS THE VISION RETAINER SHAPING SYSTEM?
The Vision Retainer Shaping System uses specially designed vision retainers to gently and gradually reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) to eliminate or reduce nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontist to realign crooked teeth. The vision retainers are similar to contact lenses and are only worn at night while sleeping. They are then removed upon awakening to provide clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses! The retainers are comfortable and very easy to care for.
WHY CONSIDER VRSS INSTEAD OF CONTACTS OR EYEGLASSES?
The main purpose of VRSS is to be free from both contact lenses and eyeglasses during waking hours. While this is ideal for sports enthusiasts or those who work in dusty or dirty environments, for others VRSS offers the appeal of being free from corrective lenses during the day. VRSS also offers relief from the problems sometimes associated with full-time contact lens wear like drying and things getting on or under the lenses.
DOES VRSS HAVE ADVANTAGES OVER LASER EYE SURGERY?
There are several advantages to VRSS over Laser Eye Surgery or LASIK. VRSS is less than half the cost of Laser Vision Correction Surgery. It does not involve any post-operative pain and it provides non-surgical vision correction. Also, the hazy post-operative vision that can be associated with laser surgery does not occur with VRSS. Both eyes can easily be done at the same time with VRSS. Also, prescription changes are easy to deal with using VRSS. There are no strong steroid or antibiotic drugs needed with VRSS as there are during the post-operative period for laser surgery. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, VRSS is reversible. Laser surgery is not.
WHO IS SUITABLE FOR VRSS, AND CAN ANY DOCTOR PERFORM IT?
The answer to both questions is no. It does not work on every eye patient and needs to be performed in a very exact and meticulous manner. The Optometrists at the Vision Centers of Performance Eyecare in Missouri & Illinois have received special training and have the necessary diagnostic equipment, computer software, and expertise to perform VRSS.
The non-surgical vision correction procedure works best on mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness or astigmatism. More severe cases can have their vision improved, but will still need some vision correction. The procedure also does not work well on certain shaped corneas. Also, there are several unmeasurable factors for each patient – most notably the cornea’s rigidity. Thus the speed of VRSS varies with each patient. Generally, but not always, less nearsighted patients respond faster than more nearsighted ones. There are no age barriers for VRSS. It is safe for children and adults and is an excellent alternative for children who are just first becoming nearsighted as studies have shown that VRSS may prevent any further nearsightedness from occurring! Also, while success rates are very high, success cannot be guaranteed for non-surgical vision correction due to factors like the inability to wear the vision retainer for physiological reasons or other systemic health problems that may reduce wearing time.
WHAT DOES THE VRSS PROCEDURE INVOLVE?
A comprehensive eye health examination is performed first. Then, a corneal topographer is used to obtain a very precise computerized “map” of the cornea’s shape. This information is placed into the VRSS computer software and a diagnostic retainer is fit in the office. If at that time it is determined that you are a good candidate for VRSS, your own vision retainers will be ordered. It takes about one week for the retainers to be made and delivered. When you pick up your retainers, you will be instructed on how to use and care for them. The maintenance is very easy and involves only one bottle of solution. If the retainers fit properly, you may wear them that first night. You should see well with the retainers on. We will see you the next morning. You should come to the office wearing your vision retainers. We will remove them for you. Of course, should you experience any problems while at home with your retainers, simply remove them. Most of the visual changes occur rapidly over the first few days. As the cornea changes shape and vision improves, we will refit and reorder successive vision retainers (if needed). During this interim period, we will supply you with (no-charge) soft disposable contact lenses to be worn during the day. These are usually only needed for the first few days. For most patients, only one pair of retainers is needed. The majority of patients achieve excellent vision in only a few days – many after only one night of wear. Even after you are seeing well, we will continue to see you a while longer to ensure your cornea is adapting to the retainers. Most patients are done with their follow up care in about one month although some may take more or less time. When the treatment is completed, the last retainer used will be worn on a nightly basis. Some patients are able to use the retainers every other night.
HOW MUCH DOES VRSS COST?
Depending on which of the three payment plans you choose, the total fee for the entire VRSS program is between $1,800 and $2,064. This includes all of the professional visits, retainer lenses needed to achieve optimal vision, and any needed interim soft disposable contact lenses. Lost, broken, or spare retainers are available at a cost of $184 for each eye.
ARE THERE DISADVANTAGES OF USING VRSS?
You must be prepared to allow 3 – 5 visits over a one month period. Should you stop wearing your retainers, your vision will slowly return to its original state. (Note: A new procedure called ‘Corneoplasty’ is currently being studied. This procedure would make the effects of VRSS permanent!) While the degree of success is very high, it cannot be guaranteed. However, when the corneal topography and computer software indicate a patient will be successful, it is rare that patients don’t do well with VRSS. Rates and amounts of improvement vary from one person to the next.
I’VE NEVER HEARD OF VRSS, IS IT NEW?
Attempts to re-shape the cornea have been tried since contact lenses were first fit. The process used to be called orthokeratology. This process would often take over a year to complete and the results were not nearly as favorable as VRSS. For this reason, many doctors and patients elected not to participate in orthokeratology. With the newer diagnostic technology used to measure the corneal shape and the newer materials being used for vision retainers, VRSS is now a viable alternative for many nearsighted or astigmatism patients.
To find out if you’re a candidate, call or contact our office for a free consultation. Our Eye Doctors will review your prescription and let you know if VRSS is right for you.